Two new conferences will launch while another longtime business competition celebrates its 25th anniversary this month in Houston. Plus, there are networking opportunities, family tech events and more.
Here are the Houston business and innovation events you can't miss in April and how to register. Please note: this article might be updated to add more events.
Ion Block Party: Art Crawl
Network and socialize with other tech enthusiasts and business-minded individuals while taking in the new gallery at Community Artists’ Collective and experiencing the immersive dome at Omnispace360. See work by Joel Zika, who will showcase his digital sculptures through augmented reality screens, and other public art around the Ion while also enjoying food and drink.
This event is Thursday, April 3, from 4-7 p.m. at the Ion. Click here to register.
CLA Presents: Raising Capital over Happy Hour
Gain a better understanding of the capital-raising process and various funding opportunities at this educational happy hour. Keith Davidson, the market leader for CLA in Dallas and former CFO of ICS, will present.
This event is Thursday, April 10, from 4-6 p.m. at The Cannon. Click here to register.
Rice Business Plan Competition
The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship will host the 25th annual Rice Business Plan Competition this month. Forty-two student-led teams from around the world, including one team from Rice, will present their plans before more than 300 angel, venture capital, and corporate investors to compete for more than $1 million in prizes.
This event is April 10-12. Stream the Elevator Pitch Competition and Final Round here.
RSVF Annual Conference
The Rice Student Venture Fund will host its first-ever Annual Conference to celebrate the university's entrepreneurial spirit and the rising generation of student-led innovation. The conference will include live startup demos, an RSVF fund update, a keynote fireside chat, a builder-investor panel and networking. RSVF welcomes students, alumni, investors, faculty and staff, and innovators and community members of the broader tech scene.
This event is Monday, April 14, from 4-8 p.m. at the Ion. Click here to register.
TEX-E Conference
TEX-E will host its inaugural conference this month under the theme "Energy & Entrepreneurship: Navigating the Future of Climate Tech." The half-day conference will feature a keynote from Artemis Energy Partners CEO Bobby Tudor as well as panels with other energy and tech leaders from NRG, Microsoft, GE Vernova and TEB Tech.
This event is Tuesday, April 15, from 1-4:30 p.m. at the Ion. Click here to register.
Houston Methodist Leadership Speaker Series
Hear from Dr. Jonathan Rogg, Chief Quality Officer and Vice President of Operations at Houston Methodist Hospital and a a practicing emergency medicine physician, at the latest Houston Methodist Leadership Speaker Series. Rogg will present "Leadership from the Bedside to the Boardroom."
This event is on Wednesday, April 23, from 4:45-6 p.m. at the Ion. Click here to register.
Ion Family STEAM Day– Let's Build a Tripwire Alarm
STEAM on Demand will host a hands-on, family-friendly engineering lesson for young ones on the Ion Forum Stairs. Kids will learn to create and test their own working alarm system. The event is geared toward those ages 7 to 14.
This event is Sunday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ion. Click here to register.
Greentown Houston Fourth Anniversary Transition On Tap
Climatetech incubator Greentown Labs will celebrate its fourth anniversary with a special edition of its signature networking event, Transition On Tap. Entrepreneurs, investors, students, and friends of climatetech are invited to attend.
This event is Tuesday, April 29, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Greentown Labs. Click here to register.
Integrate Space Technology Into Your Small Biz
The SBA Houston District Office and the UH Technology Bridge will host a collaborative event designed to help small businesses leverage space technology for prototype development. Attendees will also hear from industry experts on resources and gain access free technical engineering assistance to help accelerate their businesses.
This event is Wednesday, April 30, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at UH Technology Bridge Innovation Center. Click here to reserve your spot.